What are some classic British novels that Americans should read? I'm currently reading The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie and Blandings Castle by P. G. Wodehouse. Blandings Castle is one that I think my fellow Americans should read because of its particularly hilarious, sarcastic, British humor. If there are any Brits out there who can come up with a list like this, do it!
Agatha Christie is definitely worth reading, especially
In terms of classics you have Dickens, Austen, Shakespeare and all that jazz :)
In terms of fantasy, Tolkien is always a must-read.
If you are looking for a different kind of British literature, have a look at post-colonial/immigration novels like The Buddha of Suburbia, The Lonely Londoners or Reef. – Rachel Elfassy Bitoun10 years ago
That is a big topic! It would be useful to limit it, maybe if you want quintisential British lit you could say 'the best' from England, from Wales, from Scotland and from Northern Ireland. Off the top of my head, I would go:
T.H.White
Dylan Thomas
Walter Scott
Seamus Heaney Scotland in particular has a lot of very influential authors, J.M.Barrie for example – Francesca Turauskis10 years ago
I agree with Francesca Turaukis about splitting it by country. Not only does it make it more managable but it's an interesting way to present it. I'd say Brideshead Revisited and A Handful of Dust, both by Evelyn Waugh. Great if you want to read about class, the notion of 'Englishness', and in the former, the legendary Anthony Blanche. – AidaA9 years ago
Dorothy L Sayers' Peter Wimsey stories are brilliant and a terrific read for those interested in classic British detective literature. I agree it could be narrowed down, perhaps by topic or genre, because British Literature is so broad, both in terms of time and subject. – PrincessYeti9 years ago
